The Rhawnhurst Naturally Occurring Retirement Community celebrated its 10th anniversary with a recent luncheon at Congregations of Ner Zedek.
NORC formed in 2004 to help older adults remain independent. It has had four project managers: Elaine Griffin, Judy Yellin, Shirley Reses and Abby Gilbert, who has led the group for three years.
Catholic Health Care Services and the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia work with more than 600 senior adults and 300 volunteers each year to provide basic home repairs and maintenance; van rides to appointments and shopping; home assessments and modifications; referrals to other agencies; caseworker services; and monthly informational luncheons.
There are some 30,000 seniors in the 19111, 19149 and 19152 ZIP codes that are served by the NORC.
Among those in attendance were state Sen. Tina Tartaglione; state Reps. John Sabatina Jr., Mark Cohen and Kevin Boyle; Naomi Adler, the new CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia; and Rich Simon, community relations officer of the 7th Police District.
Guests enjoyed lunch and cake, and Catholic Health Care Services provided blood pressure screenings.
Sabatina, who was born and raised and still lives in Rhawnhurst, presented a resolution to Gilbert. The lawmaker and his staff have volunteered for NORC’s winterization and spring cleaning days since he was elected in 2006.
The NORC staff presented Gilbert with a framed copy of the comments in the Sabatina resolution.
Tartaglione and Boyle presented citations for the group, and a citation was read from Mayor Michael Nutter.
NORC volunteers received certificates.
“The best years of NORC lie ahead of us,” Cohen said.
In other news, the NORC will sponsor a series of book talks by Jack Belitsky on selected Thursdays at 1 p.m at the Klein JCC, 10100 Jamison Ave. The dates are Dec. 11 (Storyteller, by Jodi Picoult); Feb. 12 (Chestnut Street, by Maeve Binchey); April 16 (Angel of Losses, by Stephanie Feldman); and June 11 (Margot, by Jillian Cantor).
Rhawnhurst NORC will meet again on Thursday, Nov. 20, at noon at Rhawnhurst Presbyterian Church, 7701 Loretto Ave. The guest speaker will be from PECO Energy.
The following meeting will be on Thursday, Dec. 18, at noon at Congregations of Ner Zedek, 7520 Bustleton Ave. A representative from Operation Town Watch will speak. ••
